Can A Bartender Afford Rent in Staunton, VA?

Rent-burdened — rent takes 52.2% of gross income.

Staunton rent: July 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Virginia state estimate).

Staunton median rent
$1,558/mo
Bartender salary (Virginia)
$35,833/yr
Rent as % of income
52.2%
Gross monthly income works out to about $2,986, and the 30% rule supports up to $896/mo in rent. Staunton's median rent of $1,558 exceeds that threshold by $662/mo, putting a bartender salary into the rent-burdened range here. A bartender works roughly 90.4 hours a month to cover that rent.

About rent and a bartender salary

Declared bartender pay sits below the rent threshold for a one-bedroom in most US cities. Actual tip income in high-volume bars and fine-dining can push real take-home substantially higher. At the national-average declared bartender salary, the 30% rule supports about $878 a month in rent.

Cheaper rent nearby

These Virginia cities have lower median rent than Staunton, which improves the affordability math on a bartender salary:

Richmond, VA
$1,557/mo (52.1% of income)
Manassas, VA
$1,557/mo (52.1% of income)
Portsmouth, VA
$1,557/mo (52.1% of income)

Compare with full rent data for Staunton

View full rent data for Staunton, VA

Frequently asked questions

Can a bartender afford rent in Staunton, VA?

Median rent in Staunton is $1,558 a month. A typical bartender in Virginia earns about $35,833 a year, which makes that rent 52.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.

How much rent can a bartender afford in Staunton?

Using the 30% rule, a bartender salary in Virginia (~$35,833/yr) supports up to $896 a month in rent. Staunton's current median rent is $1,558/mo, which is $662/mo over the affordability threshold.

How many hours does a bartender work to cover rent in Staunton?

At an hourly equivalent of about $17 an hour, a bartender in Virginia works roughly 90.4 hours a month to cover Staunton's median rent of $1,558.

Where is rent cheaper than Staunton for a bartender?

Nearby Virginia cities with lower median rent include Richmond ($1,557/mo), Manassas ($1,557/mo), Portsmouth ($1,557/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a bartender salary.

Methodology: Salary uses the BLS-derived Virginia state estimate from OEWS May 2024. Rent is the most recent ZORI monthly value for Staunton, VA. Affordability applies the 30% rule (rent ≤ 30% of gross income). Real take-home varies with taxes, household composition, overtime, tips, and benefits.